SaveMeTrustLegalAction.Friday11thSeptember2015

“Today the Save Me Trust launched a Judicial Review in the High Court in London challenging the legality of Natural England’s recent decisions to authorise the culling of badgers in Western Gloucestershire, Western Somerset and Dorset. The decisions complained of are irrational and unlawful because the culling of badgers, as being authorised, cannot reasonably be expected to prevent the spread of disease. The culls as they are being, and have been conducted in the previous 2 years, cannot achieve the statutory purpose of preventing the spread of Bovine TB and are thus unlawful. The consultations carried out in Western Gloucestershire, Western Somerset and Dorset prior to the grant of the culling licences were so inadequate so as to be unfair and contrary to the principle of legitimate expectation. The decisions by Natural England to authorise the culling are also unlawful on this ground. The Save Me Trust, who is represented by Simon Farrell QC, is seeking orders from the Court that Natural England’s decisions should be quashed and declared unlawful. It is expected that the case will be heard soon as the Save Me Trust have requested an expedited hearing”